A group of protestors from the nearby Occupy Vancouver encampment demonstrate in the lobby of a downtown office tower Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011.ANDY CLARK/Reuters
A lawyer for a 28-year-old homeless woman is arguing a judge shouldn't force the removal of the Occupy Vancouver encampment because it provides her safe shelter.
Michael McCubbin has told B.C. Supreme Court about 26 homeless people are currently living in tents on the lawn of the city art gallery, which was set up as part of the global Occupy movement.
He's the first of several lawyers, each representing different members of the tent city, who are trying to stop the city's request for an injunction ordering the campers to clear out.
Mr. McCubbin contends the Occupy Vancouver site protects vulnerable women, provides regular meals and round-the-clock first aid care and creates a sense a community.
City lawyers say the camp amounts to trespassing and should be dismantled because protesters are breaking city bylaws
The arguments come as Occupy protesters hold an afternoon march around the Vancouver offices of Brookfield Asset Management, the firm that owns the New York park where Occupy Wall Street demonstrators clashed with police early this morning.